The Fringe Hours

I have seen this new book called The Fringe Hours by Jessica N. Turner mentioned on a few blogs.  I was glad to be able to listen to the audio version.

About the book:
Every woman has had this experience: you get to the end of the day and realize you did nothing for you. And if you go days, weeks, or even months in this cycle, you begin to feel like you have lost a bit of yourself.

While life is busy with a litany of must-dos--work, child-rearing, keeping house, grocery shopping, laundry and on and on--women do not have to push their own needs aside. Yet this is often what happens. There's just no time, right? Wrong.

In this practical and liberating book, Jessica Turner empowers women to take back pockets of time they already have in their day in order to practice self-care and do the things they love. Turner uses her own experiences and those of women across the country to teach readers how to balance their many responsibilities while still taking time to invest in themselves. She also addresses barriers to this lifestyle, such as comparison and guilt, and demonstrates how eliminating these feelings and making changes to one's schedule will make the reader a better wife, mother, and friend.

Perfect for any woman who is doing everything for everyone--except herself--The Fringe Hours is ideal for both individuals and small group use.

My thoughts:
When I read this book's description, I thought it sounded interesting so I would give it a try.  What I liked was this was a practical book of ways for women to take time for themselves.  Women are busy whether they are stay at home Moms or work outside the home, and it is vital for women to make time for themselves in all stages of life.  Women need to make it a priority to find time to do something they enjoy just for them.  There are many reasons we do not do this because of guilt and the pressures of comparison due to social media.  The author asks the reader to identify her passions and use those to find what you will enjoy doing during your "fringe hours." When we pursue our passions as women, we will end up being better wives, mothers, and friends.  Some scriptures are mentioned but not many.  I found this to be a useful book that would be beneficial to women no matter what stage of life they are experiencing.

Reading this book would be a good first step in making time for yourself as a woman!

This audio book was read by Carla Mercer-Meyer.  I did not enjoy her reading at first but got used to it as the book went on.

I received this book via the christianaudio Reviewers Program for my honest review.  Thank you.

Have a day of blessings!
 

A special invitation for Moms!

Back in 2009 I shared a review for the book Real Moms...Real Jesus by Jill Savage.  You can see my review here.

This was a wonderful book I enjoyed very much. The book shows examples from Jesus' life that we as moms will be able to relate to.  He understands what we go through as Mom's in our daily lives.  I am excited to be able to reread this book and participate in an online book study with Hearts at Home beginning in January led by the author on Facebook in a private group. 

Feel free to join us!  You will be blessed!  We start the discussion on January 9 so there is still time to pick up a copy of this book.

Have a day of blessings!

My other birthday gift...

I mentioned in my post Monday that I had another present that I'd tell you about in a separate post.

After my gifts were wrapped, one of them looked like a frame to me (do you try to guess what your gifts may be too!?). We'd purchased new frames for our new house recently, and I figured it was a new frame that JMP heard me say I thought was pretty when we were looking.

On the Friday before my birthday, I emailed and asked my husband if he was getting off early so we could head to my Mom's house. He wrote back that he was trying to leave early. Then at his normal getting off time he wrote me that he was frustrated because he'd left work at 4 to go pick something up that he thought would be very quick. The lady at the store ended up being very slow doing what he wanted. I couldn't imagine what he could have been doing, but he told me it was something for my birthday.

Sunday when I opened the gifts the one was a frame. He told me, "It's for your diplomas, and I have another one for your teacher certificate." On Friday when he took off early, he went to the store to buy mats to go around them in the frame. He had been sneaky one night while I was in my bath and measured my diploma to know how big to get the mat.

When we were moving he came across my diploma and told me I needed to frame it. I never thought of doing really when I was teaching or now that I'm not teaching. I didn't want to buy a frame for it just to hang in the house. He has a frame in his office that I got for him when he graduated but never considered getting one for myself.

I don't know if I can exactly put into words why this is so special. He totally surprised me; I would never have thought of this.. It is such a thoughtful gift that just spoke to my heart. I have always known my husband supports me and wants me to be a stay at home Mom. He always tells me what I do is valuable and important. It was very validating that he wanted to frame my diploma and teaching certificate to hang in our office at home, even though I'm not teaching right now. This was a gift that said to me I love you, you matter, what you did 10 years ago in college was important and what you are doing today is important.

Some may think it a waste to have my degree and not be teaching right now. I'm glad he doesn't see it this way.

Have a day of blessings!

2009 Book list #43: Mothering Heights by Keitha Smith and Susan Brereton

Mothering Heights: A Novel Approach for Christian Mothers by Keitha Smith and Susan Brereton is a new novel from Judson Press that I'm happy to share with you.

From the website:
This encouraging book uses the charm of timeless literary works and the wisdom of the Bible to reconsider what is seen today as a classic role.


My thoughts:
I found Mothering Heights to be an enjoyable book that was easy to follow. Each chapter is titled after a classic literary work, such as Pride and Prejudice, Sense and Sensibility, and Great Expectations. A few quotes are used from these books throughout the chapters. One thing I appreciated was the comments from mothers relating real experiences to the information discussed in the chapter. Each chapter ends with a short list of questions. One of the chapters I enjoyed was about the expectations we face as mothers...expectations of our spouses, our children, others, ourselves and God. What I learned from this book was to be reminded of my role as a Mom is valuable even in the tasks that seem menial at the time and taking care of my family is a way I can serve God right now. This book was encouraging to me, and I would recommend it to other Mom's. It seems it would be a valuable book especially for new moms to read so they will realize that they are valuable and what they are doing is important. We all need to be encouraged from time to time and reminded of our purpose. This book does that.

Thank you to Kim Shimer at Judson Press for sending me this book for review. You may purchase it at this link.

Have a day of blessings!

My dream come true :)

Last night I told my hubby I was so excited for today because it is Caleb's pumpkin party at school. I told him it is like a dream come true for me. It might sound silly, but this is what I always dreamed of being able to do. This is the first party they have had, and I'm so thankful and happy I can be the room mother and be there and be part of it.

We had a fun time this morning. I loved walking down the hall and hearing the buzz of happy kids in their classrooms. It was fun to see Caleb in the school setting, sitting at his table doing what the teacher said, with his classmates.

We played "pin the nose on the pumpkin." My Mom reminded me we played this in my kindergarten party! There is a picture of me somewhere, I hope to find it to show Caleb. Then we passed out treats. One Mom made cupcakes. Caleb asked Gramma to make pumpkin cookies so he passed those out. Plus some others brought juice and candy. Then after eating the kids made little jack o' lanterns on little foam pumpkin shapes. They seemed to enjoy that. We took a class picture at the end.

I'm looking forward to a fun weekend with my boys! We're going to a football game tonight and tomorrow will be some fun activities with Caleb the clown. He makes the cutest little clown! (See my FB for pictures!) Hope you have a great weekend too and be safe!

Have a day of blessings!

Hearts at Home: Resource for Moms

One of the things I love about blogging is the exchange of ideas that takes place; after all, what mom can't use a new idea every now and then!

If you are interested in a blog that brings a group of mommy bloggers all to one place, stop by and visit the Hearts at Home blog.

Hearts at Home's contributing bloggers write about motherhood, each with a unique perspective, reflecting on the spiritual, emotional and downright funny aspects of motherhood. Their group of bloggers range from professional speakers to authors to stay-at-home moms, all who share a passion for the profession of motherhood.

The Hearts at Home blog covers a variety of topics, such as practical mom tips, recipes, book reviews, and advice for tackling tough mommy issues.

Take a peek at this great resource and connect with real moms sharing real stories today!

"Yes" Mom Challenge!

Jill Savage has issued a "Yes" Mom Challenge for the month of July. You can read more about it on her post here. I loved her idea and wanted to share it with you. So many times I find myself saying no when there really is no reason to not say yes! This month I've already found times when I say "okay, yes you can do that" when I was thinking first "no" in my head.

As Jill mentions in her post so many times when we do say no it's selfishness on our part and keeps our kids from enjoying something--it might be messy, time-consuming, etc. This is not saying yes to anything and everything or having an anything goes attitude. This challenge is simply a way to remind us as Mom's to say yes and let our kids do some fun things when we're tempted to say no!

This challenge has been a great reminder to say yes! If you leave a comment on her blog of being a "yes" Mom this month, you'll be entered in a drawing.

Also, be sure to check out the review in the post below this one about Jill Savage's great book Real Mom's...Real Jesus.

2009 Book #30: Real Moms, Real Jesus by Jill Savage

I have previously posted an interview with author Jill Savage. I have now finished this book Real Moms...Real Jesus and would like to share my thoughts with you.

I have found through her blog and other books that Jill has a way of speaking to the hearts of Moms. She relates real life experiences of her home in a way that gives insight to other Moms going through the same situations. Real Moms....Real Jesus is no different.


This book has thirteen chapters that relate the experiences of Jesus during His life on earth to experiences of Moms. Jesus served; we serve our families. Jesus taught; we are teachers in our homes. Jesus prayed; we must cover our families in prayer. Jesus let go; we have to learn to let go of our children as they grow.


I enjoyed reading this book and participating in the weekly posts about each chapter on Jill's blog. It is very encouraging as a Mom to read about the life of Jesus and see how things He faced relate to motherhood. I was blessed by reading this book.
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"For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are—yet was without sin. Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need." Hebrews 4:15, 16

Hearts at Home University

Motherhood is a valid profession.

It is that belief that inspired Jill Savage and a group of women to plan the first Hearts at Home conference 16 years ago. Today these conferences are a place where moms can go to find the encouragement and education they need to do this mothering thing right!

The problem is, not everyone can attend a Hearts at Home conference, so Hearts at Home University was created!

Hearts at Home University is a new resource designed to encourage and equip you in your journey as a parent! These live web casts, affordably priced at $15 each, allow you to tap into continuing education as a mom on a regular basis right from the comfort of your own computer.

The topics that will be covered over the Spring and Summer Semester include:

“Is There Really Sex after Kids” with Jill Savage

“She’s Gonna Blow” with Julie Barnhill

“Redefining Romance” with Mark and Jill Savage

“Keeping Your Ducks in a Relative Row” with Karen Ehman

For information on dates and times, or to register go here.

I began reading Jill Savage's books after hearing her on a broadcast of Focus on the Family. I am sure you will be blessed if you participate in one of these web casts.

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"The LORD reigns, he is robed in majesty; the LORD is robed in majesty and is armed with strength." Psalm 93:1

Mommy encouragement!

Have you ever felt alone as a mom? Lost in your chosen field of mothering?

There is an organization that was created to encourage, educate and equip women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home helps thousands of moms love their lives through their many resources including conferences, website, and books.

Recently I partnered up with this organization as a blogger. Over time I hope to share with you the many resources this ministry has to offer (old ones and new). To learn more about the Hearts at Home Blogging team go here.

In the meantime I would like to encourage you to explore their website and blog for an immediate dose of mothering encouragement.

I have been encouraged by this resource and hope you will find encouragement as a Mother also. Hope your weekend is fabulous!

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"Be exalted, O LORD, in your strength; we will sing and praise your might." Psalm 21:13

Real Moms....Real Jesus

I was totally blessed to read another book (Professionalizing Motherhood) by this wonderful author, Jill Savage, last year. I have been following her blog since then I guess. I'm excited to begin reading her newest book. Read below more information about this gifted author and speaker. You will be blessed! (I may be having a give away of this book coming up in the near future so stay tuned.) It is a privilege to be part of this blog tour for this new book. I was supposed to post last week on the 10th but it totally slipped my mind during our time at the hospital. I was thankful for them to let me post this week instead so I could still participate!

Today I’d like to welcome author and speaker, Jill Savage. Jill’s recent book Real Moms…Real Jesus, just released, and I wanted to ask her about her real mom moments..

Jill, tell us a little bit about yourself and your family.

Mark and I have been married 25 years and we have five children. Anne is 24 and married to our wonderful son-in-love, Matt. Evan is 21 and married to our beautiful daughter-in-love, Julie. Erica is 18 and a college student at Heartland Community College. Kolya is 15 and in the 8th grade. We adopted Kolya at the age of 9 from Russia---the God story about his adoption is included in the Real Moms…Real Jesus book. And Austin is 12 and in the 7th grade.

Tell us about your newest book Real Moms...Real Jesus?

Real Moms…Real Jesus is a book designed to help moms understand that when Jesus lived on this earth he was fully God, yet fully man. We don’t often think about the fact that he was a human being and he lived the full human experience: pain, hunger, fatigue, frustration, betrayal, disappointment. He experienced it all!

There’s one verse in the Bible about Jesus that simply says “large crowds followed him everywhere he went.” Well, isn’t that the life of a mom? Large crowds follow her to the bathroom. They follow her to the kitchen. To the grocery store. She’s in high demand! And when Jesus lived on this earth, He was in high demand, too.

Why did you want to write this book?

Most of us long for a friend who understands. Yes, we need girlfriends who understand what our life is like. But we also need to understand that we have a friend who understands in Jesus. Too many of us think of God as being distant and unable to relate to our daily struggles. But nothing could be further from the truth! He understands and he wants us to build our friendship with Him. He wants to not only be our Savior, but also our Friend.

What do you hope your readers will gain from this book?

I hope that readers will gain a new perspective about their relationship with Jesus. I also hope to weave God’s truth into the daily life of a mom.

What unique elements will the reader find in Real Moms…Real Jesus?

Each chapter looks at some character trait in Jesus’ life that can help us in our life as a mom. In between the chapters are interactive vignettes that provide brief, refreshing glimpses into our real, messy, busy lives.

There are also questions at the end of the chapter for further consideration and suggested Bible reading in the book of Matthew. If the reader chooses to pursue the suggested reading, she will have read the book of Matthew completely by the end of the book!

There is also a leader’s guide in the back of the book so it can be used in a group setting.

This is a Hearts at Home book. What is Hearts at Home?

Hearts at Home is an organization that encourages, educates, and equips women in the profession of motherhood. Hearts at Home encourages moms through annual conferences, our extensive website (www.hearts-at-home.org), a free bi-weekly electronic newsletter, a radio program, and an entire line of books designed to meet the needs of moms all over the world!

Any closing thoughts?
I am very excited about this book! I believe that if a mom can strengthen her relationship with Jesus Christ, she will feel more equipped to be the mom she wants to be. I’m also offering an online book discussion on my blog beginning Tuesday, April 7. If you’d like to join us, you can subscribe to my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

I’d love to hear a reader’s thoughts after they read the book, too! You can connect to me through my blog at www.jillsavage.org.

Thanks, Jill, for taking time out of your busy schedule to share your real mom, real Jesus moments with us.

You can purchase your own copy of Real Moms…Real Jesus by clicking here.

And be sure to check out Hearts at Home, their conferences for moms, and all their online resources here.

Book #36: Just Give Me a Little Piece of Quiet

I found this book Just Give Me a Little Piece of Quiet by Lorilee Craker at a garage sale I think. I have been reading one of the "mini-retreats" each day as part of my quiet time.

This is a book for Moms. It has short two or three page chapters, each one about a different mothering topic. The stories tell a humorous story and then have a spiritual application. I enjoyed the short stories for the most part and verses to go along with them.

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"Let love and faithfulness never leave you; bind them around your neck, write them on the tablet of your heart." Proverbs 3:3

Book #29: Professionalizing Motherhood

I finished a book that I absolutely loved and needed to read. It is called Professionalizing Motherhood by Jill Savage. I found this book at the beginning of August during a trip to Mardel. It was on the sale rack actually, and I spotted it as we were leaving the store once I'd already paid. I recognized the author as well as the "Hearts at Home" label on the cover from hearing her previously on a Focus on the Family broadcast. It was discounted 75% so I paid $1.88 for it! I couldn't believe it was so inexpensive! I added it to my stack and now I've read it. It was such a blessing to me as a stay-at-home Mom. My heart was touched. I think you should read it as well.


I am thankful to be able to be a SAHM. It was my dream really that once we had children I would stop teaching school. I'm thankful to have not only my husband's total support in that but that with his job I'm able to stay home. I feel this book really validated my reasons for wanting to stay home. It was nice to know other people out there see the value in mothering and have the same feelings I do. I don't even know where to start on sharing some of the ideas in the book, it has so much valuable information.

As I started reading, the author really touched my heart. So often in today's society we're asked the question "what do you do for a living?" Some people don't respect or value the decision a woman makes to stay home with her children. You can get some odd looks and responses from some people. As Mom's we might begin to start questioning our decision to be at home. However, we don't need to feel like we should have to apologize for what we do. Look at what we ARE doing as mothers! We need to take pride in that fact!


There IS value in motherhood. The book tries to show Mom's how to make the most of this "season of life." She addresses some issues families sometimes face. One of these is "can we live on one income?" This is huge. Sometimes we have to learn about delayed gratification. Sometimes we need to realize that we don't have to "keep up with the Jones' " to really be happy. What really matters....people or things? A second issue is "aren't you wasting you're degree?" Well actually no I'm not! I loved how Savage says it's okay to have changes in career plans! People do it all the time outside of the home, and no one thinks anything of it. It is totally accepted actually. It's also okay to choose to change careers to being in the home with your children.


I cannot tell you the number of times I've been asked (especially recently) if I'll begin teaching again once Caleb starts school. It's a valid question. I could go back to teaching if I want, but at this time my heart is still looking at the things I need to do at home as Caleb continues to grow. She mentions in the book the "epidemic of empty houses after school" and how these are times when children especially need the hand of their mother there to help and encourage. As her children have grown, she has seen how her children continue to need her through all the different stages.


As Mom's we should be proud of our choice and realize mothering is our profession. Too often we say I'm "just" a SAHM. The Hearts at Home organization is meant to encourage mothers in their profession. Any other profession has conferences, workshops, trainings, books, magazines, etc. to encourage you in what you do. Mother's need this also! I totally agree with her on this.

The book includes chapters on some tools that every SAHM needs, which are fun, prayer, creativity, grace, humor, and organization. I was encouraged by all of these chapters and also gained some good ideas I plan to use. For example, she prays over the family member as she is folding his/her clothes. She shared some fun ideas that she uses to add fun to the home for special occasions like birthdays and other family traditions.


This book is a wonderful resource and there are others like it on the Hearts at Home website. They are also having a giveaway now through the end of the month on their blog.
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"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her. " Proverbs 31:27, 28

Friday Favorites: SCC #2

Last week I found this song online and was so excited to find it so I could share it on my Friday Favorites. It is on SCC new CD called "This Moment," which I blogged about a while back. I loved the song One Heartbeat at at Time. It really touched my heart when I heard it the first time.

Here is a link to SCC playing and singing a portion of the song. He talks and then plays and sings. Enjoy!




I also wanted to include a link of the full version of the song if you'd like to hear it.




I hope all of you Mommies, whether you are a stay at home Mom or working outside the home, enjoy this song and know you are making a difference. I think as a Mom sometimes we tend to forget that all the little things we do really do matter. We may not have solved the problem of the country's rising gas prices or finished all the laundry. But we have kissed away tears, sang silly songs, and made birds with Play Doh, making memories that will last a lifetime. We can get burned out if we're not careful. It's important to take time for yourself amidst your busy days of raising babies. Find something you do for YOU and make time for that. Hopefully you have a husband who will enjoy spending some quality time with your child so that you can take some time to be refreshed.

Hope you have a fabulous weekend. JMP took off today and Caleb told him let's go to the donut shop first thing this morning. He thought I put Caleb up to saying that but I hadn't even mentioned it!
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“A hundred years from now it will not matter what my bank account was, the sort of house I lived in, or the kind of car I drove...but the world may be different because I was important in the life of a child.”--Forest E. Witcraft (I never knew where this quote came from but this is who came up when I searched for it.)

For Stay-At-Home Mom's

Mother's Prayer

Dear Lord, It's such a hectic day,
With little time to stop and pray,
For life's been anything but calm,
Since You called me to be a Mom,
Running errands, matching socks,
Building dreams with matching blocks,
Cooking, cleaning, finding shoes,
And other stuff that children lose,
Fitting lids on bottled bugs,
Wiping tears and giving hugs,
A stack of last week's mail to read,
So where's the quiet time I need?
Yet, when I steal a moment, Lord,
Just at the sink or ironing board,
To ask the blessings of Your Grace,
I see them in my small one's face,
That You have blessed me
All the while...
And I stop to kiss that precious smile!
— Author Unknown


Today I listened to a wonderful and encouraging radio broadcast from Focus on the Family. I used to listen to broadcasts on the radio, many years ago. Recently though I found out they are broadcast on the site online when Kathy mentioned a broadcast in one of her posts (which my husband and I both listened to and enjoyed). Anyway, last week we got a publication from Focus on the Family with a list of upcoming broadcasts. I subscribed to the daily digest because there were a couple on the list this month that interested me.

Today was the first one. It is called The Value of Stay-at-Home Moms. The first part aired today. The speaker is author Jill Savage. It really blessed and encouraged me, and I look forward to the second half tomorrow. I'd encourage all of you SAHM to listen to this wonderful program.

It is our choice for me to stay at home, and I feel blessed beyond words that I am able to do so. In our society I feel often that those who do choose to stay at home are sometimes looked down on or at least it feels this way. Something that has bothered me is the idea that staying at home is just a "waste" of my education. This is not how I feel, but sometimes it seems that is how staying at home is viewed by others. This point was specifically mentioned on the program today. Staying home is not a waste of my education. I am "applying my skills to a valuable profession" as Ms. Savage said. I feel in our society motherhood is not valued or appreciated. When asked what you do for a living, "being a Mom" isn't a normally expected (or even accepted) answer.

I know the value of having a Mom at home because my own Mom stayed at home until I was a freshman in high school. I must also say that I am so proud of my husband's support. He wants me to stay home and sees the value in my being at home. It is as important to him as it is to me. I'm so thankful for this.

This radio program was perfect timing. JMP and I were talking how it feels sometimes people just expect me to be able to do whatever whenever for them because I "just" stay at home.

Mothers, please know you are valuable. Whatever you are doing is important for your children. We need to cherish our time with our little ones. All the time we hear from others with older children how fast they grow up. It is wonderful to be reminded from time to time.

I hope you will be able to listen and be blessed by this broadcast. The poem at the top was read at the beginning of the program and I wanted to share it too.

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"She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 'Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.' " Proverbs 31:27--29